BRENDAN - Volkswagen is always the first company I think of when I
think German cars. The old Bug and the Microbus were the epitome of
automotive practicality, but now styling and performance play a big part
in VW's corporate mindset. The Jetta GLS we tested this week wasn't much
different from last year's model, but this one sports a turbocharger.
Its a hot 1.8-liter engine that pumps out 150 horses and really gets
cooking when the turbo kicks in. I had a blast driving it, but I would
have liked it ten-fold more if our car had the five-speed stick-shift
transmission VW offers instead of an optional four-speed automatic
gearbox. Still, it held its own and felt great when I jumped on it.

MIKELE - I have been a VW fan for years, Bren, and I loved my cousin
Dana's Beetle that we cruised around in when we were teens. Dana is
still partial to Volkswagens, so much that she bought a new Jetta last
year. I loved zipping around in our test Jetta, and it held the road
like a champ. The independent front suspension and track-correcting
independent torsion beam rear suspension work in conjunction with
Volkswagen's Electronic Differential Lock and its Anti-Slip Regulation
system to give the Jetta a safe and nimble ride. I read up on the
systems in the press kit and I'm finally beginning to understand how all
of these computer-controlled systems work. They transfer power to the
wheel that has traction as well as applying the brake on the wheel that
has lost traction and is spinning.

BRENDAN - The interior is typically German, which means that the
front seats are firm, but form-fitting and grip the driver and
front-seat passenger tightly during heavy cornering. I like a
comfortable interior and although the Jetta is utilitarian compared to
some of the luxury cars we've had, it's still pleasing to the eyes. The
blue and red gauges provided a nice visual cue during night driving, and
the basic center console area is a welcome break from all these
carriage-trade luxury cars with acres of polished wood and aluminum. The
interior doesn't add too much fancy stuff, but does includes some things
I've grown to expect from a heads-up car company. A self-dimming rear
view mirror and a gray shade band on the front upper windshield were
nice features, a so was the power windows with "pinch" protection. I've
always had a dread of getting a finger caught in one on its way up.

MIKELE - There were a couple of other things I also liked. We've
come to expect air-conditioning and tinted glass in everything but the
lowest-end models, and most have a satisfactory sound system. But the
unit in our Jetta is VW's famous Monsoon system with eight speakers and
an AM/FM radio with a cassette player. The Jetta option list shows a
six-disc changer available, but I was somewhat taken aback by the fact
that the standard system didn't provide CD capacity which is now pretty
well the standard recorded music medium. I'm now spoiled by CDs.

BRENDAN - The VW emblem is one of the most universally recognized
logos in the world and the front grille of the Jetta carries a huge one.
Its body parts are mostly color-keyed, and its shell is fully galvanized
anti-corrosion sheet metal. We don't have to worry much about rust-out
here in California, but for our readers around the country, good rust
protection is a real selling point. The outside mirrors are heated too,
and that makes winter driving easier. Our Jetta had halogen headlamps,
which a lot of oncoming drivers curse, but they sure make night driving
easier. The fuel cap has a cable attached to it so you won't leave it at
the gas station. That's a small detail, but it's one that drivers wish
for the first time they leave the cap behind at a self-service filling
station.

MIKELE - Safety features include driver and front passenger side
airbags, anti-intrusion side door beams, and energy absorbing side
impact door padding as standard equipment.

BRENDAN - I've always had a soft spot for VWs since I got my old '76
Microbus many years ago.

MIKELE - I've blocked that revolting, garage-band, "tour wagon" out
of my mind, Brendan, and I'd like it to stay there.

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